(CLEBURNE, TX )— The week-long series in Cleburne continued as the RailCats and Railroaders squared off for game three of the series at La Moderna Field. The RailCats dropped the opener but won the next two games, entering Friday’s matchup with a series lead and a chance to move within 3.5 games of the final playoff spot. 

 

 

Korry Howell started the game with a base hit on the first pitch thrown by Ben Hampton. Nick Podkul then got a 3-0 green light and found a pitch he could handle, blasting his 15th home run of the season and setting a new career high. The RailCats jumped out to a 2-0 lead. 

 

 

RailCats starter Deyni Olivero made just one mistake through the first few innings, and Caleb McNeely made him pay with a solo home run in the bottom of the second to cut the lead in half. In the top of the fourth, with two outs, Cole Yearsley dunked a single into center field to score Joe Suozzi and extend Gary’s lead back to two runs. 

 

 

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Tommy Sacco drew a two-out walk and later stole second base. Cody Thomas followed with a double into the left-center field gap, allowing Sacco to score. With Thomas at second, Frankie Tostado put the ball in play, and Andy Nelson’s errant throw from shortstop allowed Thomas to come all the way around and tie the game. Tostado would eventually score on Mason Minzey’s automatic double. 

 

 

Following the inning, the RailCats removed Olivero, who finished the night with a RailCats career-high eight strikeouts. Cleburne took a 4-3 lead. 

 

 

Hampton lasted just 4.1 innings before Conner Richardson came on in relief for Cleburne. In the top of the sixth, Richardson loaded the bases, prompting Railroaders manager Pete Incaviglia to make another call to the bullpen and bring in hard-throwing right-hander Davis Smith. With two strikes, Howell lined a ball into right field that was deep enough to score Andy Nelson and tie the game at 4-4. 

 

 

The RailCats bullpen worked out of several high-pressure situations the rest of the way. In the bottom of the sixth, after a successful bunt by Angel Mendoza, Cleburne had runners on second and third. Denson Hull responded by striking out Sacco before Cody Thomas grounded out to first base. 

 

 

In the seventh inning, Hayden Bailey escaped another jam by striking out Cole Foster with the go-ahead run standing at third base. 

 

 

The RailCats had a scoring opportunity of their own in the top of the eighth. Nelson singled, and a sacrifice bunt from Colin Summerhill moved him into scoring position. Yearsley and Howell both hit the ball well, but each found the glove of a Railroaders outfielder. 

 

 

In the bottom of the eighth, Bailey returned to the mound, but for the second straight day the RailCats turned to Texas native and closer Jacob Coats before the ninth inning. Coats hit Thomas to load the bases, but Tostado grounded to first, and Suozzi made a strong throw to Coats covering the bag to end the threat. 

 

 

Cleburne made another pitching change in the ninth, bringing in Ryder Yakel, the Railroaders’ saves leader, to keep the game tied. On a 2-2 curveball, Kevin Watson did not miss, crushing a go-ahead home run for his eighth of the season. 

 

 

The RailCats kept the pressure on. Marc Flores drew a walk, Ozzie Martinez singled, and Joe Suozzi lined a base hit up the middle to give Gary a 6-4 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth. 

 

 

Coats stayed on for the final frame and began by issuing a walk to McNeely. The closer bounced back by striking out Minzey. Foster then lined a ball directly to Suozzi at first base, who secured the catch and fell onto the bag to complete the game-ending double play as the RailCats secured a 6-4 victory. 

 

 

The RailCats improved to 32-46 and moved within 3.5 games of Cleburne for the final playoff spot with two games remaining in the series. 

 

 

Saturday’s game is scheduled for 7:06 p.m., with Crown Point native Frank Plesac set to start against left-hander Luke Short. The game will be broadcast live on AABaseball.TV.